Overweight, Heavy, Fat, Plump, Obese

Overweight, fat, heavy, plump, or obese, call it by any name you want.  It is a major epidemic problem in the United States, a killer waiting to happen. It has also become a problem with the older segment of our population because we have become so sedentary, take in too many calories and do not follow good nutrition guidelines.  As much as 64%  of the United States adult population is considered overweight or obese and 86 % of adults will be obese or overweight by 2030.  Those facts  are very scary. If you have been thinking about your weight, it is probably because you’ve noticed that your favorite pair of jeans are getting tighter and tighter. Or maybe it is because your doctor has told you that your blood pressure or cholesterol is too high and that your weight may be a contributing factor. In my case, I asked my doctor how to lose the weight around my tummy because I don’t like the looks of my waistline. My clothes fit too tight and it is very uncomfortable to do simple things like tying my shoes.  Whatever the reason, if you’ve decided to lose weight, good news, even modest weight loss can mean huge health benefits. I am following my doctor’s advice about diet and nutrition and have lost 5 pounds in 3 weeks. I work out at the gym 3 times a week and ride my bike.  Always check with your physician for guidelines about diet and exercise based on your personal health history.

Overweight, obesity, fat, plump or heavy are all labels for ranges of weight that are greater than what is generally labeled healthy for your height and age. These terms also identify weight ranges that are shown to increase the risk of disease and other health problems.  The killer waiting to happen. Having more body fat than is healthy is a generally a good definition for being overweight.  It is also defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher. A BMI  of 30 or higher is considered obese. Normal or healthy range is between 18.5 to 24.9. If less than 18.5 you are considered underweight.

One way to tell if you are at a healthy weight is to calculate your BMI (body mass index). Check out the BMI calculator or the BMI Index Chart at The Center For Disease Control (CDC) site; BODY MASS INDEX

Another way to check your weight is to measure your waist size. Measure around your abdomen just above your hip bone. Stand up straight, relax, exhale and measure your waist with the tape snug but not too tight. A good rule of thumb for men is not to exceed 40 inches in circumference and for women not to exceed 35 inches. Excessive belly fat places greater risks for you developing serious obesity related diseases.

Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of developing many types of disease such as;
•    Coronary heart disease
•    Type 2 diabetes
•    Stroke
•    Gallbladder disease
•    Dyslipidemia (cholesterol problems)
•    Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
•    Some cancers, (breast, colon,prostrate, and endometrial)
•    Gynecological problems
•    Degenerative joint disease
•    Psychosocial disability

Just because you are a little overweight does not always mean you aren’t healthy. A person’s shape is not always a good indicator of your health. It is the abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to your health.  A person can be overweight according to ordinary standards but not considered obese. Their body fat may actually be below-average but their muscle mass may be above-average.  A 250 pound football player is a good example of this.

It is a fact that your diet and the amount of calories you take in and lack of physical exercise are the two biggest factors that lead to overweight, heavy, fat, plump, or obese ( whatever you want to call it) individuals.  It is recommended that you engage in at least 30 minutes of regular, moderate intensity exercise every day. Muscle strengthening and balance training are also recommended to help reduce the risk of falls. You may have to increase the amount of physical activity for proper weight control.  Exercise can help slow down Alzheimer’s disease and boost your brain power. Exercise is great medicine.  If you want to live longer, be healthier and look slimmer, working out is the best thing you can do for yourself.  Walking is great exercise and you benefit by also soaking up some vitamin D (sunshine) that is good for your bones and helps decrease the risk of all kinds of cancer by 60 percent.

Your health is not a blessing it is your responsibility to take charge and make some positive changes. Get up off the couch and get out your sneakers. It is never too late to make a difference in your health. Remember even a little exercise and a little weight loss can mean HUGE health benefits. Slim, trim, slender,lean and thin are words to LIVE FOR. Overweight, heavy, fat, plump and obese are words to DIE FOR. LITERALLY!!

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Stay Healthy Everyone and Happy Antiaging,

Gayle and Chuck